Munich's City Center (Altstadt meaning "Historic city center") is easily navigable with all the must-sees easy to find by travellers. It is in the heart of Munich, where eyes gaze upon architectural masterpieces like the Neues Rathaus and Frauenkirche, and taste the wonderful Hofbräu beer all the while listening to "Take Me Home Country Roads" in the Hofbräuhaus. Since all suburban trains, subways, and trams have at least one stop in the vicinity of Munich's center, it is a great place to start any day of sightseeing.

Get in

By suburban train (S-Bahn)

S-Bahn lines S1, S2, S3, S4, S6, S7, S8, and S27 all run in west-easter direction and stop at the western end of the pedestrian zone at Karsplatz (Stachus), the very heart of Munich at Marienplatz, and the eastern end of the city center at Isartor.

By subway (U-Bahn)

Subway lines U1 (dark green), U2 (red), and U7(gold) stop at the southern tip of the city center at Sendlinger Tor, where they connect to lines U3 and U6.

Subway lines U4 (light green) and U5 (brown) stop at Karlsplatz (Stachus) and at the northern end of the city center at Odeonsplatz, where you can connect to lines U3 and U6.

By tram

Tram line 18 runs along the southern rim of the city center with many stops along the way, including Karlsplatz (Stachus) and Sendlinger Tor.

Tram line 19 runs right through the city center with a number of stops, inlcluding Karlsplatz (Stachus) and Nationaltheater.

See

Map of Munich's City Center (please note: some information is outdated!)

Feldherrnhalle (Field Marshals' Hall), Odeonsplatz (Subways U3, U4, U5 & U6: ''Odeonsplatz''), [1]. 24/7. Built between 1841 and 1844 by Friedrich von Gärtner at the behest of King Ludwig I of Bavaria after the example of the Loggia dei Lanzi in Florence. The Feldherrnhalle was a symbol of the honours of the Bavarian Army.free of charge.

New City Hall/Glockenspiel (Neues Rathaus), Marienplatz 8 (S-Bahn & Subways U3 & U6: ''Marienplatz''). M-F 10:00-17:00. During the summer, a curious sight appears sveral times a day (11:00, 12:00, 17:00, 21:00) at Marienplatz. Hundreds of tourists begin craning their necks skyward to see the Glockenspiel work its magic on the front facade of the New City Hall (Neues Rathaus). As the automated clockwork figures come out to dance, the bells play and the tourists gape. But the glockenspiel is truly a piece of art - it was built of handmade parts long before automation was the buzzword of the day, and it's still entrancing. While watching the glockespiel from Mariensplatz is obviously free, climbing the bell tower of the city hall isn't.€4.

Mariensäule (Column of Mary), Mariensplatz (S-Bahn & Subways U3 & U6: ''Marienplatz''). A golden statue on a column, located in the middle of Marienplatz. The statue was built in honor of the Virgin Mary to celebrate the sparing of the city from the Swedes in the Thirty Years' War.

Old City Hall (Altes Rathaus), Marienplatz 15 (S-Bahn & Subways U3 & U6: ''Marienplatz''), ☎+49 89 294001, [2]. Daily 10:00-17:00. Built in 1474 and rebuilt after World War II to its original state. Today it houses a toy museum (Spielzeugmuseum). Outside you will find a statue of Juliet (Romeo's Juliet) which is a present by Munich's twin town Verona. Adults €4, Concessions €1.

Churches

Asamkirche (St. John Nepomuk), Sendlinger Straße 32 (Subways U1, U2, U3, U6, U7: ''Sendlinger Tor''), [3]. No sightseeing during services; services (Catholic): Tu, Th, F 17:00, W 8:30, Su 10:00. Rococo architect and sculptor Egid Quirin Asam built this amazingly ornate church right next door to his own house. His brother, Cosmas Damian, did all the frescoes. The church is dedicated to St John Nepomuk, a Bohemian monk was thrown into the river Vltava from Charles Bridge in Prague at the behest of Wenceslaus, King of Bohemia. The Asamkirche, completed in 1746, glitters like a row of diamonds and is best seen by candlelight, especially at the yearly Christmas Eve service, replete with Bavarian singers in the choir stall.

Inside the Frauenkirche

Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady), Frauenplatz 1 (S-Bahn: ''Marienplatz''), [4]. Sa-W 07:00-19:00, Th 07:00-20:30, F 07:00-18:00; No sightseeing during services. Frauenkirche is topped by two copper onion-domed towers recognizable from a distance. Instead of adding sculptural ornamentation in carved stone to the exterior like other typical Gothic churches, the Frauenkirche differs from all contemporary churches in its plain brick simplicity. The church was completed in 1488. The legendary or devil's footstep (Teufelstritt), stems from the large amount of light inside the Frauenkirche that seems to come from nowhere thanks to the large columns that block the view of the windows. According to legend, Jörg of Halspach made a deal with the devil that he could build a church that had a spot where not a single window could be seen from. From the vestibule, looking down the center aisle (as long as the high Baroque altar covered the windows at the very back of the church) there appeared to be no windows at all. The devil stamped his foot in a fit of pique, leaving his footprint on a paving stone immediately inside the entrance. Another version tells that this is where the devil stood when he curiously regarded and ridiculed the windowless church that Halsbach had built. In fact, it is a large casting in the square base plate, and none of the side windows can be seen from the spot when one looks to the high altar.The stone is readily visible because it is mustard yellow rather than red and grey like the other tiles. Right to the entrance is a monumental tomb of Emperor Ludwig IV of Bavaria, the work of Hans Krumpper.

Michaelskirche (St. Michael), Neuhauser Straße 52 (S-Bahn: ''Karlsplatz (Stachus)''), [5]. M & F 10:00-19:00, Tu-Th & Sa 08:00-19:00, Su 07:00-22:15; No sightseeing during services. The largest Renaissance church north of the Alps was built between 1583-1599 thanks to Duke Wilhelm V, called The Pious. Despite nearly bankrupting Bavaria, Munich was left with an amazingly beautiful structure that houses an extremely unified iconographic program. In the church crypt are the tombs of many members of the Wittelsbach dynasty, including that of "Swan King" Ludwig II. The church today belongs to the order of the Jesuits.

Peterskirche, Rindermarkt 1 (S-Bahn: ''Marienplatz''), [6]. No sightseeing during services; services (Catholic): M-F 08:00 & 09:00 & 10:00 & 11:00 & 18:00, Sa 18:00, Su 07:00 & 08:00 & 09:00 & 10:45 & 12:00 & 18:00. Munich's first parish church was started in the 12th century, but ongoing additions and renovations have kept artists busy for centuries. During a city fire in 1327, the church was damaged and in 1607, the tower (called Alter Peter) was struck by lightning. At the back of the church is a Lourdes grotto tucked under the choir loft stairs, as well as an educational display which shows step by step how a fresco is made. Climb up the 306 steps inside the tower to have a nice view over the city center.

Theatinerkirche (St. Cajetan), Theatinerstraße 22 (Subways U3, U4, U5 & U6: ''Odeonsplatz''), [7]. Daily 06:30-20:00; No sightseeing during services; services (Catholic): M-Sa 07:00 & 08:00 & 17:00, Su 08:15 & 10:30 & 12:00 & 17:30 & 18:30. Located to the north of the city center at Odeonsplatz. The church is beautifully ornated and is probably the most eye catching structure, because its architecture departs dramatically from the rest of Munich's buildings. The church was built as a thanks to God for the birth of Maximilian II Emanuel, the son of Wittelsbach ruler Ferdinand Maria.

Museums and galleries

Residenz (Residence), Residenzstraße 1 (Subways U3, U4, U5 & U6: ''Odeonsplatz''), ☎+49 89 290671, [8]. Apr-15 Oct: Daily 09:00-18:00; 16 Oct-Mar: Daily 10:00-17:00. The Treasury (Schatzkammer) within the Residence has one of the best collections of ecclesiastical treasures in Europe, not to mention the royal insignia of Bavaria (crowns, orb, scepter, etc). The Antiquarium has the largest Renaissance room north of the Alps, and the Ancestral Portrait Gallery (Ahnengalerie) has a Wittelsbach family portrait collection. There is also a series of Rococo rooms by Cuvilliés.Combined admission for treasury, museum, and Cuvilliés theater: Adults: €13, Reduced: €10.50.

Residenz Museum, Residenzstraße 1 (Subways U3, U4, U5 & U6: ''Odeonsplatz''), ☎+49 89 290671, [9]. Apr-15 Oct: Daily 09:00-18:00; 16 Oct-Mar: Daily 10:00-17:00. Within the Residenz. Step in to the life of royalty in this museum dedicated to showing off the furniture and housewares of the royal family of many generations ago.Adults: €7, Concessions: €6.

Do

Christkindlmarkt at Marienplatz. A large market that stretches across the shopping street, so you can mix Christmas market shopping (and eating) with "normal" shopping. The market offers some delicious treats and some great souvenirs/gifts.

Climb ''Alter Peter'', Rindermarkt 1 (S-Bahn: ''Marienplatz''), [14]. M-F 09:00-17:30, Sa-Su 10:00-17:30. After climbing the 306 steps to the top of the bell tower of Peterskirche you will have the best view you can get of the historic city center.Adults €1.50, Concessions €1.

Buy

Viktualienmarkt— This large open-air market sells everything from soup to nuts. Just off Marienplatz, generations of market families continue to hawk their wares from the same location. There are open air fruit and vegetable stands similar to those scattered around the city, as well as closed stands and little year-round trinket shops. Early in the morning and late in the afternoon on the way to and from work, Munich women stop by the market to pick up something from dinner - during midday it's a bit slower and therefore better for browsing.

Kaufingerstraße & Neuhauser Straße— Located between Marienplatz and Stachus, it is one of the main shopping streets of Munich. This is the place to go for medium range to high end clothing retail, however, there are plenty more stores than just clothing stores like the large retailers Karstadt and Kaufhof.

Eat

Budget

Viktualienmarkt. On Viktualienmarkt you will find everything you need to eat. Take a Leberkaessemmel (€1.50) at one of the butcher shops, a huge bowl of soup at Münchner Suppenküche[48] (€3-5) or go to Nordsee, a fish restaurant chain. After getting your lunch together have a seat at the beer garden, where you can have a beer with your food. (You can bring your own food to the beer garden too).

Gasthaus Fraunhofer, Fraunhoferstr. 9, ☎+49 (089) 266460. One of the most traditional restaurants in Munich. Splendid location; they also have a pocket theatre and studio cinema in the backyard. Bavarian brunch with live music on Sundays. Located on Fraunhoferstr, close to the metro station with the same name. This was Munich film director's Rainer Werner Fassbinder favorite restaurant.

Grano (Italian), Sebastianplatz 3 (S-Bahn: ''Marienplatz''), ☎+49 89 23269939. M-Sa 10:30-23:00. You might have a hard time finding a free table in this small restaurant. Although it is very centrally located not far from the new synagogue, prices a low and the quality of the food is good. However, the atmosphere and service speed suffer from the restaurant's popularity.Pizza €8.

Sax, Hans-Sachs-Str. 5, ☎+49 (089) 268835. Nothing special, but good ambiance and (as said) affordable prices. And there are many other interesting venues on Hans-Sachs-Str, if ever you need an alternative.

Pizzeria Monaco, Reichenbachstr. 10, ☎+49 (089) 268141. The usual Italian fare at a very good price.

Subway on Viktualienmarkt, Viktualienmarkt 7, ☎+49 (089) 25 54 69 00, [17]. Both the owner and his staff speak excellent English and can help English speaking customers. The restaurant has a small patio, on the market square.

Mid-range

Bräustüberl, ☎+49 (0)89 290136-10, [18]. The Bräustüberl restaurant is located on the first floor of the Hofbräuhaus [19]. Both the ambiance and food are traditional Bavarian. There is live music most evenings. Reservations are recommended during high season and major festivals.

Kilians Irish Pub, Frauenplatz 11 (Located directly behind the Frauenkirche), ☎+49 (089) 2421 9899, [23]. Kilians is located behind the Frauenkirche and offers the usual Irish beers. Occasionally it hosts live music and is a popular place among expats, tourists, and Germans alike. The staff is friendly and vigilant about protecting their customers - a string of pickpocket thefts in 2004 caused them to post warnings to customers.

Haxnbauer, Sparkassenstrasse 6, ☎+49 (089) 216 654 0 ([email protected], fax: +49 (089) 228 301 5), [24]. Haxnbauer is a restaurant where you can taste Schweinhaxe. While ordering the waiter brings several knuckles with prices on them so that you could choose which you like best.

Splurge

Katzlmacher (Italian), Bräuhausstraße 6 (S-Bahn: ''Marienplatz''), ☎+49 89 333360, [28]. M-F 12:00-15:00 & 18:30-01:00, Sa 18:30-01:00, Closed on Sundays. Katzlmacher is among Munich's best Italian restaurants, with accordingly high prices. It is located just around the corner from the infamous Hofbräuhaus.Pasta €15.

Ratskeller, Marienplatz 8, ☎+49 (089) 219989-0 ([email protected], fax: +49 (089) 219989-30), [29]. Offers real Bavarian food and is easy to find. Find the Neues Rathaus (The Gothic city hall) and descend into the the basement. The entire basement is a restaurant. Great for experiencing Bavarian customs.

Drink

Breweries

Hofbräuhaus, Am Platzl 9, ☎+49 (089) 290136-10 (fax: +49 (089) 22 75 86), [30]. Touristy, but fun, with good beer and "oom-pah" bands. The Hofbräuhaus, Munich's (and maybe the world's) most famous brewpub, moved to its current location in 1644. It opened to the public after 1830. Nowadays, the embodiment of Bavarian beer culture is visited only by tourists. More likely than not you will hear the famous "eins, zwei, g'suffa!" song at least once if you spend any time there at all. Basically it means "one, two, drink up!" Bring your passport, because you're likely to be asked for ID, and without your passport bouncers will not let you in.

Augustiner Großgaststätte, Neuhauser Straße 27, ☎+49 89 23183257, [31]. History has it that beer has been brewed and drank on this site since the 14th century and upon entering you may be inclined to agree with that assertion. Augustiner brews great beers and this place has them all. If the weather is nice, order a Weißbier and sit outside at one of the tables set up to watch pedestrian traffic along Neuhauser Straße.

Andechser Am Dom, Weinstraße 7a, ☎+49 (089) 29 84 81, [32]. This is a good place to stop off if you are going to visit the Frauenkirche. Andechs beers are all brewed at the Klosterbraueri which is a fun side trip in itself and all the beers are world-class. The place is much smaller than most places and seating is limited, but they have tables with a view of the Kirche outside in the summer time and a nice outdoor patio that is heated during the winter. The food is also quite good and quite varied. This place gets pretty packed at around 3:30PM or 4PM so get there early if you want a table. Otherwise order a beer and strike up a conversation.

Clubs and Discos

Bars in the Gärtnerplatzviertel: In this very trendy area between Viktualienmarkt and the Isar, you will find several good bars and clubs, like K.U.K. Klub, Red Star, Trachtenvogel, Holy Home (all on Reichenbachstr.), Lizard Lounge (Corneliusstr.), Café am Hochhaus (Blumenstr. opposite the firestation) or Buena Vista (Cuban bar opposite Schrannenhalle in a street called "Am Einlass").

8 Seasons, Sonnenstraße 26, [33]. Opened on the 1st of April 2004 it should be closed now (more than 8 seasons later), but it still is open. Exclusive club with the usual party crowd.

Atomic Café, Neuturmstr. 5, 80331 München, ☎089/2283054, [34]. The Atomic Café is not the typical Munich disco, it has a comfortable sofa area, nostalgic lava lamps and a cosy flair. The stylish 60s design fits perfectly to the varied choice of music. The organisers don't just rely on techno and trance, everything is played here from "easy listening" over "rare groove" to beat and electronic sounds and is also known as Munich's HQ for Britpop. It is also possible to see top international bands live on stage without paying excessive prices for "standing room only".

Crown's Club, Maximilianstr./Am Kosttor, ☎089/25546700, [35]. Opened by the former bouncer of the P1 club. It has capacity for 500 guests and should be extremely exclusive. But as there are three clubs in Munich trying to be "extremely exclusive" (P1, 8 Seasons being the others) you may have a chance to get in (if you are well dressed, of course).

Ampere im Muffatwerk, Zellstr. 4, ☎089/45 87 50 10, [36]. This "arts factory" in the heart of Munich has a truly inspired concert hall with café. From the classic "Into Something Friday" or an "Exclusive Line-Up", the Muffatwerk always has something "great" on offer...and you can treat yourself to some well earned rest in the nearby café/bistro.

Madam Cabaret, Ledererstr. 19, ☎+49 (089) 295938, [37]. This is Munich's oldest gentleman's club which offers a variety of dancers. Quite small and offers an intimate atmosphere.

P1 Club, Prinzregentenstr. 1, ☎+49 (089) 211 114 0 ([email protected], fax: +49 (089) 211 114 14), [38]. This club lives from its reputation it build up many years ago. Management had made a mistake by getting greedy and doubling its size. Thus it has been a problem staying exclusive and simultaneously having enough guests to guarantee a good atmosphere. The bouncers are eventually understanding that P1 is just one of many discos nowadays. Prices are ok.

Mid-range

InterCityHotel Munich, Bayerstrasse 10 (Connected to the Hauptbahnhof), ☎+49 (089) 44 44 4-0 (fax: +49 (089) 44 44 4-599), [40]. Good value for money at a great location. Rooms are small but simple, but the easy access to the train station is convenient.€77-265.

Splurge

Hotel Königshof, Karlsplatz 25 (S-Bahn: ''Karlsplatz (Stachus)''), ☎+49 0 89 551360, [41]. The luxury hotel is located directly at the Karlsplatz (Stachus). It's only 200m away from the main station and a 10min walk through the pedestrian zone to the Marienplatz. Aside from the spacious rooms, hotel guests can expect a champagne breakfast in the gourmet restaurant Königshof, which is awarded with a Michelin star.Double from €312.

Hotel Bayerischer Hof, Promenadeplatz 2-6, ☎+49 (089) 21 20-0 ([email protected], fax: +49 (089) 21 20-906), [42]. One of the grand old dames in Munich, the hotel's splendor and facilities reflect the personal management of the Volkhardt family who have owned the hotel for four generations. A luxury hotel, it boasts an admired location, a pool well positioned on the top floor alongside a gym and spa bar. Rooms are calm and spacious with big double beds, flatscreen TV's and a sitting area. The large bathrooms have a private phone and plenty of shelf space, with a shower-tub combination. Rooms are furnished in both modern and traditional pieces, with marble, antiques and art decorated plentifully, and you can dine at any one of the three fabulous restaurants. Rates include a champagne breakfast.

Le Meridien Munich, Bayerstrasse 41 (The hotel is located across the street from the main train station), ☎+49 (089) 24220 (fax: +49 (089) 2422 2025), [43]. Le Meridien has all of the old-world flair one expects from a charming European hotel, combined with modern amenities. High speed internet access and sleek conference rooms for business meetings provide an elegant atmosphere for corporate events.€150-€615.

Mandarin Oriental, Neuturmstraße 1 (S-Bahn: ''Marienplatz''), ☎49 89 290980, [46]. The hotel was awarded an accolade of being one of the world's top ten hotels by "Travel and Leisure" and a Michelin star was awarded to Mark's restaurant. Each of its 73 rooms is furnished in a Neo-Renaissance style. They are some of the largest hotel rooms in the city.Double from €525.

Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski, Maximilianstraße 17 (S-Bahn: ''Marienplatz''), ☎+49 89 21252799, [47]. Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski is an elegant grand hotel with 150 years of tradition. Its central location on Maximilianstraße, the address for exclusive boutiques and theatres, as well as the nearby opera house, will make your stay very special.Double from 330; early bird rebates.

Contact

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